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Language Matters: Internationalisation and language-related policy and practice at universities across Brandenburg and Berlin
How can internationalisation and language policy be successfully combined at universities? On 5 September, university representatives from Brandenburg and Berlin will come together to discuss challenges, proven models and new ideas. The focus will be on issues relating to linguistic diversity, inclusion and the role of multilingualism in everyday university life.
Effective internationalisation in higher education depends on well-developed language policies and practices. A key tension lies in translating high-level language goals into effective sustainable and inclusive practices across teaching, administration and support services. At the same time, language-related issues—ranging from administrative procedures to curriculum design to everyday communication—are deeply embedded in broader social, cultural and institutional processes, making them inherently complex and multifaceted.
Against this background, this collaborative (online) workshop has the aim of bringing together representatives from universities across Brandenburg and Berlin to share challenges and highlight best practices related to internationalisation and language-related policy and practice. In doing so, we hope that the event will provide colleagues working on internationalisation an opportunity for regional networking and to learn from each other. The workshop will be a platform to address questions such as the following:
- How can we support linguistic diversity and inclusion while navigating institutional and legal constraints?
- How can language policy support broader internationalisation strategies without undermining the local linguistic and cultural context of German?
- How can language policy be effectively implemented at the operational level—across teaching, administration, and student services?
- What are examples of successful (or failed) attempts to bridge the gap between policy and everyday practice?
- How multilingualism be positioned as a resource rather than a challenge?
- Which practices or models exist that link internationalisation with inclusive, context-sensitive language policy?
- How can institutions across Brandenburg and Berlin collaborate more closely to share resources, strategies, and insights?
Further information and registration
Date: Friday 5th September, 9.30-12.30
Venue: Webex, Meeting-Link: https://th-wildau.webex.com/meet/karin.schmidt
Please email us to let us know who of your university will be attending (karin.schmidt(at)th-wildau.de).